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DON DAVIS Forum News Service ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton leads an all-Minnesota or all-Minneapolis ticket in the 2014 election campaign, depending on who is telling the story. Tuesday’s announcement of his chief of staff, Tina Smith as his running mate drew immediate criticism from Republicans and questions from political reporters accustomed to seeing attempts to geographically balance governor-lieutenant governor tickets. Dayton and Smith said they look at the state as one and tried to downplay the fact that both are from Minneapolis.

ST. PAUL -- Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton did not look far to find a new running mate. He announced this morning that his chief of staff, Tina Flint Smith, will replace Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon on this year's ballot. In much of Dayton's three years in office Smith has been more visible than Prettner Solon, who opted against running for a second term after complaining last summer that she and Dayton seldom talked and she had little say in the administration.

ST. PAUL — Being a vital cog in passing a major U.S. House bill generally is an exhilarating experience. But for U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, passing the farm bill may have been less excitement and more relief. “Today, after nearly four years of work, the House is finally considering the 2014 Farm Bill conference report,” the western Minnesota Democrat said as debate opened on the bill Wednesday.

ST. PAUL — President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech promise to “give Americans a raise” raised the hopes of Minnesotans who want the state minimum wage increased. The Democratic-controlled Minnesota House already is on record in favor of a $9.50-an-hour wage, but fellow Democrats in the Senate majority stopped well short of that level last year. “With the president’s call for a $10.10 minimum wage coupled with Gov.

ST. PAUL — Millions of Midwesterners face the threat of not being able to buy enough propane to heat their homes and businesses at a time when the country has more of the fuel than ever. The propane just is not where it needs to be, the Propane Education and Research Council reported Thursday. Also Thursday, Upper Midwest propane users got a couple sparks of good news. First, Texas Gov.

ST. PAUL — Minnesota legislators are ready to take another stab at curtailing the use of synthetic drugs. A House committee established to look at the problem issued nine recommendations Wednesday for the Legislature to consider when it begins its annual session Feb. 25. They range from giving the state Pharmacy Board more control over the ever-changing synthetic drug situation to ordering more education about the danger of products such as bath salts and synthetic marijuana. “It will take a family, it will take a village, a state and country,” Lynn M.

WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators agreed to a farm bill on Monday that they think finally will pass the House and Senate. It is a compromise package that pleases neither side, with food stamp cuts and farm subsidies continuing. “Compromise is rare in Washington these days but it’s what is needed to actually get things done,” U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., said.

ST. PAUL — Two Upper Midwest governors have issued emergency orders to help their residents deal with a propane shortage, with prices at the highest levels ever, while those in the region who depend on the gas for heat face continued bitterly cold temperatures. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton Monday night declared a propane emergency. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker took similar action during the weekend. Both governors have ordered their state agencies to do whatever they can to help residents cope.